Oscar-winning Palestinian director assaulted by Israeli settlers, arrested
What's the story
Hamdan Ballal, a Palestinian director famous for his Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was reportedly beaten by Israeli settlers and then arrested by the Israeli military on Monday. The incident took place in Susya in the Masafer Yatta area, south of Hebron in West Bank. A few Jewish American activists of the Center for Jewish Nonviolence said that Ballal was attacked by a group of around 15 armed settlers who also vandalized his property.
Attack details
Settlers vandalized property, assaulted Ballal
Describing the attack, Joseph, one Jewish American activist told The Guardian, "They started throwing stones toward Palestinians and destroyed a water tank near Hamdan's house." Another witness, identified as Raviv, said the settlers "destroyed his car with stones and slashed one of the tires," leaving "all the windows and windshields broken." Ballal was injured in the assault and was taken into custody by the Israeli army.
Detention details
Israeli army detained Ballal after 'violent confrontation'
The Israeli army issued a statement regarding a "violent confrontation" between Palestinians and Israelis. They alleged "terrorists" threw rocks at Israeli citizens, prompting the involvement of IDF and Israeli Police forces. The statement also said, "The forces apprehended three Palestinians suspected of hurling rocks at them, as well as an Israeli civilian involved in the violent confrontation." However, it remains unclear why Ballal was detained.
Co-director's statement
Ballal's co-director speculated attack may be retaliation
Basel Adra, another No Other Land co-director, speculated the growing violence from settlers may be a reaction to the international recognition their documentary received. The attack was "horrific," Adra said, adding, "There were dozens of settlers together with the Israeli soldiers and they were threatening us with weapons." He said, "Hamdan tried to protect his family and the settlers attacked him. Soldiers started shooting in the air to prevent anyone from helping Hamdan."
Previous assaults
This isn't the first assault on 'No Other Land' crew
This is not the first assault on the No Other Land crew. Adra was attacked by masked Israeli settlers last February, too. Earlier on Monday, Adra took to social media to report how "armed and masked settlers were leading a terror attack on Masafer Yatta." He detailed an attack on a friend's house in Susya, where settlers threw stones, vandalized vehicles, and slashed their tires. Notably, No Other Land documented the destruction of villages in the West Bank area.
Twitter Post
Ballal is still missing, wrote Adra on X
I'm standing with Karam, Hamdan's 7 year old son, near the blood of Hamdan's in his house, after settlers lynched him. Hamdan, co-director of our film No Other Land, is still missing after soldiers abducted him, injured and bleeding. This is how they erase Masafer Yatta. pic.twitter.com/72pT3UF3kj
— Basel Adra (@basel_adra) March 24, 2025